Homosexual Parents
Children raised by same-sex couples appear to do as well as those raised by parents of both sexes, suggests an international research review that challenges the long-ingrained belief that children need male and female parents for healthy adjustment. "It's more about the quality of the parenting than the gender of the parents," Says Judith Stacey of New York University, co-author of the comprehensive review. It will be published Friday in the Journal of Marriage and Family. Ref. USAToday
Homosexual Parents (Hover)
For kids raised in stable families, no difference in well-being with same-sex versus different-sex parents
Children raised by same-sex female parents with a stable family life show no difference in general health, emotional difficulties, coping and learning behavior, compared to children of different-sex parents in similarly stable relationships, concludes a study. Ref. Source 3a.
No differences noted over time for children of gay, lesbian, adoptive parents
One expert has focused her academic career on the effects and outcomes of children adopted by same-sex couples. It is believed hers is the first study that has followed children adopted by lesbian, gay and heterosexual parents from early to middle childhood. Ref. Source 4b.
Well that's hardly surprising. If nothing else, same sex couples are considerably less likely to get children they didn't want.
And on the other end, people can talk all they like about strong father and mother figures. But leaving aside the lack of evidence that such is actualy necessary, members of both sexes can fill either role. Children don't discriminate in regards to gender roles unless taught to.
Same-sex couples do not influence their adoptive children's gender identity. There is no major difference in the gender identity development of children raised by same-sex parents compared to those adopted by heterosexual couples. The toys that children prefer to play with in their preschool years are much more tell-tale about whether they will grow up to conform to typical gender norms. Source 2p.